As part of my ongoing effort to see how stimulus funds are impacting people across the state, I landed in the most unlikely of places: a bookstore. But this was no ordinary bookstore that received a stimulus grant. This was More Than Words, a small bookstore and cafe on a busy street in Waltham that is run by and for the benefit of teens who were getting off track in their lives.
Devon greeted me when I came in and made me a great cup of tea. He also told me his story. He had been involved in gangs and was getting into a lot of fights. Eventually he was arrested and his probation officer pointed him in the direction of More Than Words.
"I realized I needed to take charge of my life," Devon, who is 18, told me. "More Than Words gave me a job, they gave me business point of views and they gave me a perspective on college."
Devon works at More Than Words about 20 hours a week as does Francis who accompanied us on our tour of the store and its inner workings. Francis told me that he was also got into trouble as a teen. He was arrested a bunch of times and finally his probation officer told him to apply to More Than Words. "He told me it was a good way to get my life on track," Francis told me. "I was tired of getting into trouble," he added.
The youth who work at More Than Words don't just stand behind a counter selling books. As Jodi Rosenbaum, the very energetic executive director of the program told me, the kids learn every aspect of the business from filling orders (they sell books online too) to increasing revenue to creating displays. There are staff meetings every Wednesday and the teens are part of every financial decision.
Jodi and her staff expect great things from these youth and it appears they deliver. They are expected to get to work on time, dress appropriately and meet with transition counselors who help them find their direction in life. The big question that the youth at More Than Words are expected to keep in mind at all times is "What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish?"
Francis is now in the process of taking his GED. After he finishes, he told me he wants to go back to school. He credits More Than Words with, among other things, learning that he has to take charge of his life. Devon told me he wants to work with his hands. He has applied to Bunker Hill Community College and will either go to the computer networking program or the electrician's program. He also might become an auto mechanic. Devon's inspiration and his driving force is one we can all understand. "I don't want my children to go through what I went through," he said. "I want them to know they can go to school and get a good job."
I have no doubt that they will.
As a volunteer in the bookstore and cafe for almost three years, I have been trained by and worked alongside many youths in the bookstore and cafe and gained enormous respect for the mission and management of More Than Words. It is an inspiring and heart-warming experience to see the success of so many of the team-members as they tackle and overcome obstacles that life has thrown their way. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an important organization and to contribute in my small way to its success. It's also a lot of fun!
Jeffrey Simon responds:
Hi Virginia:
Thanks for your comments. I share your enthusiasm. I was particularly intrigued by the mixture of business and social services. The youth who work there have bottom-line responsibility and clearly develop an understanding of all of the many parts of running a business. Yet at the same time, the staff works on developing skills and attitudes that will help the youth fit into a lifelong pattern of success. And covering it all are the really high expectations that the staff seems to set for how the work will be done and how much the success depends on each person meeting his or her obligations to the team, to the business and to themselves. Do you or anyone else have any comments on that?
Jeffrey
Posted by: Virginia Inglis | April 2010 at 12:26 PM
Very inspiring story. So happy somebody helped these guys get on the right path.
Jeffrey Simon responds:
Anita,
I was also inspired by the stories of Devon and Francis. This is the kind of stimulus-funded program that truly changes the course of people's lives. I am particularly impressed by the combination of business skills and social service. I am always amazed at how creative people can be and tremendously glad to be able to support this effort.
Jeffrey Simon
Posted by: AnitaMcCants | March 2010 at 12:59 AM